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Key Industry Figures Meet to Tackle Glass RecyclingEfficient markets, effective collection, legislation and investment were hot topics at a recent strategic workshop held by British Glass and WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) for key players in the glass sector. Brought together for the first time to explore the possibilities of a more cohesive approach to glass recycling, glass collectors, re-processors, aggregates companies and packaging manufacturers met at British Glass’ offices in Sheffield to participate in an open and constructive debate about the challenges and opportunities in glass recycling. Setting the scene, Sheila McKinley, head of Defra’s Producer Responsibility Unit, provided the legislative context and highlighted the importance of meeting the 2008 glass recycling target if the UK is to hit the overall Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive targets. British Glass and Valpak focused delegates’ minds with an update on current performance and future targets and outlined the challenges posed by industry trends such as mixed collections and the UK’s growing taste for wine (around 1.3 billion bottles of wine are imported annually, weighing in at an estimated 600,000 tonnes of mainly green glass.) WRAP’s market development work was then outlined along side the financial support packages available from WRAP’s Business Development Team. Evidence of successful R&D work were illustrated by case studies from CERAM and RMC highlighting the positive outcome of trials using glass as a fluxing agent in brick manufacture and full scale use of glass as an aggregate in ‘Glassphalt’, a road base product that is enjoying considerable market uptake. Armed with this wealth of information, delegates and speakers then took part in a highly interactive workshop. Two of the key priorities to emerge were the need to ensure that commercially viable end markets are available and to ensure that the right type of glass reaches the right markets. The workshop highlighted a wide range of action areas, including standards, quality issues, the PRN system, commercial glass collections and colour segregated versus mixed collections. In total, six priority areas were identified which will now be the focus of future joint activity between WRAP, British Glass and other attendees. At the end of the workshop, delegate feedback forms fully illustrated the success of the event, with comments such as: “The workshop was very positive and a good forum for sharing knowledge”; “Good mix of re-processors which highlighted various points of view”; “A very interesting and interactive workshop”; “An excellent process which reached worthwhile conclusions”; “Excellent event - make sure it leads to action.” “Future meetings would be welcomed.” Andrew Hartley, British Glass Director of Strategy and Communications said, ”The workshop has been a real success. The energy and enthusiasm shown by all delegates was tremendous and reprocessors across all sectors found they had much in common and could see mutually beneficial ways forward.” “It was rewarding and refreshing to see issues being pulled apart and new possibilities being discussed. To witness the clear appetite for this type of cross market and cross supply chain forum to continue to develop was heartening. While we must not underestimate the severe challenges ahead for glass recycling and market development in particular, the dialogue begun here is a fundamental first step to future successes.” WRAP’s Andy Dawe added: “The primary objective of WRAP is to develop new, sustainable markets for recycled materials. In the case of glass, new markets are now completing their development stage and have the capacity to absorb significant future tonnages.” “We want to ensure that the development of these markets works to maximise the amount of glass that the UK recycles and this workshop was a key part of that process.” Anyone with an interest in glass recycling who would like to be involved in future forum meetings should contact Helena Thompson at British Glass on 0114 290 1850 or email - h.thompson@britglass.co.uk. NOTES TO EDITORS • For more information on WRAP’s work with glass visit: www.wrap.org.uk • The British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation represents the interests of all sectors of the glass industry in the UK. Its main activity is in representing the industry at European, national and local level on a wide range of topical legislative issues. It also conducts independent research into all aspects of glass production and technology. • British Glass is a separate entity from BGRC, British Glass Recycling Company, which is wholly owned by United Glass, one of the UK’s seven glass container manufacturers. • More information is available from www.britglass.org.uk • Further information on recycling can be found at www.recyclenow.com • All packaging materials have common aims for recycling and are faced by similar issues and legislation: Alcan: www.alupro.org.uk 0845 722 7722 Corus: www.scrib.org 01639 872343 Paper Chain: www.paper.org.uk 01793 889600 Recoup: www.recoup.org 01733 390021 For further information contact: Michael Bennett or Paul Ward 26 November 2004
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Sheila McKinley, Head of Defra’s Producer Responsibility Unit
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